Circuit-closer



(No Model.)

W. NUTT.

CIRCUIT CLOSER.

No. 543,966. Patented Aug. 6, 1896..

3! a Q E x r (Q I E a I 1 l B B Q 2 Z Z a Vl UQ WbOL PATENT FFICE,

\VILLIAM NUTT, OF CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA.

CIRCUIT-CLOSER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,966, dated August 6, 1895.

Application filed lilovember 6, 1894. Serial No 528,085. (No model.)

My invention relates to an improvement in electrical circuit-closers, and more particularly to improved track-instruments for use in connection with electrical railroad-signals, the object of the invention being to produce simple and efficient means for automatically making and breaking an electric circuit by the passage of a railroad-train.

With this object in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l isa perspective view illustrating my improvements. Fig. 2 isa sectional view. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical view of the circuits.

A represents a rail or a railroad-track, to one side of which a box or casing B is located and secured to the flanges of said rail by means of clips B B. Between the clips B B a clip 0 is secured to the flanges of the rail and constructed to produce a'bearing for a shaft D, which is disposed under the rail. Oneend of the shaft D is made with a crank D to be struck by the wheels of a passing train, the other end of the shaft extending into the box or casing B, longitudinal movement of the shaft being prevented by means of a collar a thereon adapted to engage one end of the clip 0. To the free end of the shaft D, within the box or case B, an arm E is secured and provided at its free upper end with a roller E, of wood, metal, or other suitable material. The roller E is normally disposed between two spring-plates F F, secured to the inner face of the side I) of the box or casing, the free ends of said plates being normally disposed over or in line with contact-pins G, secured to the side 17 of the box or casing. A spring H is coiled on the shaft D and at one end is secured to a lug c, projecting from said shaft, the other end of said spring being extended laterally from the shaft and secured to the bottom 61 of the box or casing. Another spring H is coiled on the shaft and has one end secured to the arm E, the other end being extended laterally from the shaft at the opposite side of the shaft from the laterallyextending portion of the spring H and secured to the bottom d of the casing.

From the construction and arrangement of parts above described it will be seen that when the shaft D is rocked by the engagement of a wheel of a train (running in either direction) with the crank-arm D the roller E,carried by the arm E, will engage one or the other of the spring contact-plates F and force it in electrical contact with the respective contactpin G, whereby to close an electrical circuit, which may include a bell, gong, or other electrically-operated device. When the wheel of the car shall have passed the crank-arm D,

the shaft will be made to assume its normal position by the spring H (or H) and the roller E made to move out of contact with the spring contact-plate F, whereupon the latter on account of its resilience will move away from the contact-pin G, and thus open the circuit. The electric circuit, including the bell or other device, will thus be opened and closed continuously during the passage of the train. My improvements are exceedingly simple in construction, can be manufactured cheaply, can be easily applied to any rail, and are effectual in every respect in the performance of their functions. Various slight changes might be made in the details of construction of my invention Without departing from the spirit thereof ortact with said contact plates and returning it to its normal position, substantially as set forth.

2. In a circuit closer, the combination with a crank shaft, of an arm secured thereto, a roller carried by said arm, spring contact plates adapted to be engaged by said roller, contact pins to be engaged by said plates, and springs for maintaining the roller out of contact with said plates and for returning it to its normal position, substantially as set forth.

3. In a circuit closer, the combination with a crank shaft, of an arm secured thereto, a roller carried by said arm, contact plates to be engaged by said roller, contact pins to be engaged by said plates, a spring coiled on said shaft, said spring being secured at one end to a lug on the shaft and at its other end to a device independent of the shaft and to one side thereof, and another spring coiled on the shaft, one end of said last-mentioned spring being secured to a device independent of the shaft and at the side thereof opposite the first mentioned spring, and the other end being secured to said arm, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a rail of a railroad, and a clip secured thereto, of a shaft mounted in said clip under the rail, a crank arm on one end of said shaft adapted to be engaged by a wheel of a car, an arm secured to the other end of the shaft, a roller mounted in said lastmentioned arm, spring contact plates adapted to be engaged by said roller, contact pins adapted to be engaged by said contact plates, and springs adapted to maintain the roller normally out of contact with the contact plates and to return it to its normal position, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the rail of a track, of a box or casing located to one side thereof, clips for securing said box or casing to the rail, a clip secured to the rail between the ends of a box or casing, a crank shaft mounted in said clip under the rail and adapted to be engaged by a wheel of a car, an arm carried by said shaft within the casing, a roller mounted on said arm, contact plates to be engaged by said roller, contact pins to be engaged by said plates, and springs adapted to maintain the roller normally out of contact with the contact plates and return it to its normal position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

\VILLIAM NUT'I. 

